WRITING

March/April's issue of L Style G Style is focused on creatives—there was no shortage of talented people to choose from. On the L cover, I profiled internationally known photographer Penny De Los Santos. For the G cover, I profiled nationally known set designer Michael Raiford. I also profiled Frank + Victor Design's Josh Finto and painter/glass etcher/advocate Reji Thomas. For Celebrity, I interviewed two talented cultural types: the actress Barbara Chisholm of Zach Scott Theatre and Trevor Carlson, executive director of Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Two allies profiled in this issue are creative innovator Clayton Christopher of Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka and arts powerhouse Meredith Powell of Art Alliance Austin.

The January/February issue of L Style G Style focused on health and awareness. Cover profiles of Keep Austin Beautiful's Rodney Ahart and the American Cancer Society's Krystal Gilliam were much-discussed. My profiles of two medical caregivers, Dr. Robby Hausman and Dr. Martha Pyron, rounded out the issue. Darryl Wittle, of Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, and Ava Late of BMW of Austin both grasp the value of giving back to the community—LGBT and otherwise. I profiled Nicole Renna of Invictus Fitness and Cody Butler of H.E.A.T. Boot Camp. I interviewed country singer Chely Wright about her coming out process and I spoke with Conspirare's Craig Hella Johnson about his passion for music.

The November/December issue of L Style G Style, as I wrote in my letter, profiled people who make Austin residents beautiful. They included stylist and educator Shawna Parvin, a NAHA award winner with 19 years of experience who overcame a serious accident a few years ago, and Ricky Hodge, an up and coming stylist/colorist in the midst of making his mark. Roxana Wise, stylist and owner of R Salon, has done well in the industry by forging her own unique path; Jeff Garbs, of Uncommon Objects, has always been able to locate the treasures amidst the junk. Designer Gail Chovan is the matriarch of Austin's fashion scene, while Forrest Preece and Linda Ball are longtime philanthropists in the arenas of art and civil rights. I also interviewed Olympia Dukakis about her Austin bona fides and devotion to fighting domestic violence and spoke with Del Shores about his film work and ongoing projects.

My second issue as associate editor (September/October) was a triumph, both for me (here's my letter) and for the magazine. To have a teacher from St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Nathan Michaud, on one cover, and Kat Casey, a firefighter with the Austin Fire Department, on the other, was awesome. They both epitomize the idea of giving back and service to the greater good. I profiled several people for the Reveal section, including Scott Butler of By George, Omar Lopez of Austin Community College, designer Jordan McCalmont, Whole Foods Market's Lauren Thomas, Best Buy's Dianna Alonzo and Uchiko's Emily Davis.

The story of Jimmie Sue and Dick Francis, who have a huge 'get it' factor when it comes to equality and progressive activism, is inspiring. Austin philanthropists Eric and Maria Groten's heart-wrenching story will leave you in awe of the transformative power of the arts.

My very first issue (July/August) as associate editor of L Style G Style! Therefore, my first letter. I wrote the cover features on Allen Chen, editor-in-chief of Austinist, and Jenni Jones, multimedia producer for the Austin American-Statesman. I also wrote Reveal profiles of best friend and Statesman style writer/columnist Marques Harper and News 8 Austin producer Veronica Castelo. Also, profiles of two community allies for Friends: Kathy Panoff, artistic director of Texas Performing Arts at UT, and Ron Berry, artistic director of Fusebox Festival.

For the May/June "Family" issue, I wrote the cover feature stories on John Kerrigan, Billy Wilkinson and their son: "Hayden's House." I also profiled Debbie DeBerry and Mariann DeLeon in "Welcoming Jude,". A feature examining the history and impact of bars in gay culture and on the LGBT civil rights movement: "Cheers!"

Profiles of noteworthy gay and lesbian residents in L Style G Style: "Heavenly Hitters," "Running to Lead," "Putting the Man Back in Manly," "The Wish Granter," "Mr. Organic," "Champion for Children," "Place for Peace," "Carrying the Tune."

A travel piece about Provincetown in Tribeza is here.

A feature for the Austin American-Statesman on one of Austin's oldest gay bars, Chain Drive, is here.

A piece about the 3 Redneck Tenors for the Austin American-Statesman.

A Tribeza review of American Artisanal is here.

A Tribeza feature on Burton Baldridge's modernist home is here. Pictures are here.

A review of the Gil Elvgren book for Tribeza is here.

A preview of Damn Yankees for the Austin American-Statesman is here.

WRITING IN NEW YORK CITY

You can read several of my pieces from New York Press here. Most are features or first person articles.

Book reviews: “Sex and Temperament” in The Washington Post’s Book World (Oct. ’03); “Rascally Waksal’s Cancer Cure—And the Wreckage Caused So Far,” New York Observer (Feb. ’04). Profiles: "Margaret Mead" and "Rachel Carson" in Organic Style (2004-05). Contributor of film, theater, book and nightlife reviews to New York, New York Press, The New York Sun, The New York Observer, Out and Pages. Samples below:

A theater review of Take Me Out that I penned for New York Press is here.

A first person piece I wrote about the one-year anniversary of Matthew Shepard's murder in Laramie, Wyoming, for New York Press.

I wrote about Fun as the Best Gay Bar in 2006 for New York magazine.

My review of Peter Biskind's Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance and the Rise of Independent Film, is here.

I reviewed Pam Tent's Midnight at the Palace for Out. You can read it here.

An essay I wrote for New York Press about the ongoing gentrification of Chelsea is here.

My essay on the early days of the gay presence on the web is here.

My New York Press review of this dance event, The White Party, at Capitale.

My interview with The Act's lead singer, Mike Shine, is here.

My review of India.Arie's Voyage to India is here.

A piece I wrote about the gay partners of 9/11 victims being stiffed out of money is here.

My review of two Matthew Shepard TV movies for New York Press is here.

I reviewed Rufus Wainwright's Poses for New York Press.

Our Q&A with gay author and activist Michelangelo Signorile was good times.

I wrote about Hank Stuever's book Off Ramp for Out. Their site doesn't have the link, so here it is:

Out Magazine, July 2004

Throughout this collection of articles by Stuever, an openly gay Washington Post staff writer, he finds the profound in life's minutiae. A piece called "Other People's Stuff" hilariously chronicles America's "crap crisis"—over 9.7 billion cubic feet of stuff is saved in rental storage units—but also reveals our fear of leaving the past behind and points out the inherent loneliness of a life devoted to consumerism. "Modern Bride," which could be read as a cautionary tale for marriage-minded gays, details a straight couple's overwrought preparations for their ever-expanding $25,000 wedding. Gayer yet, "Evil Queens" parses the symbolic cultural meaning of Survivor's out nudist winner, Richard Hatch.—Christopher Carbone

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Associate Editor, L Style G Style, May '10—present

Write 6 to 10 profiles per issue, including cover features and at least four other lengthy profiles (ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 words per profile)

Edit and proofread all copy in 104-page bimonthly lifestyle magazine

Curate, build and launch L Style G Style's online presence ("Off the Pages")

Launch Off the Pages with a roster of 30 stellar, regular & new contributors

Manage Facebook & Twitter accounts, increasing social media reach by 300%

Assign all stories for future issues and coordinate initial asks of profile subjects

Create and write "Celebrity" page—two regular Q&As per issue with well-known people who have connections to Austin—including Tony Kushner, Olympia Dukakis, Suzan-Lori Parks, Chely Wright and others.

Manage a team of 15-20 freelance staffers throughout production process

Diversify the magazine's content in terms of profile subjects and topics

Plan, brainstorm and develop special projects, such as the LSGS anniversary issues

Develop and maintain a consistent voice and tone in the magazine

Produce and assist with photo shoots alongside the staff photographer

Contributing Writer, L Style G Style, Jan. '09—May 2010

Freelance Writer,

Tribeza and Austin American-Statesman,

Jan. '08—Jan. '09

Copy Editor/Proofreader, Feb. ’06—Jan. '08
Glamour, ARTnews, Women’s Wear Daily, Interview, Spin, House & Garden, Discover, Travel + Leisure, Cookie, Zink, Forbes

Edit or proofread all text to ensure proper grammar, spelling, style, punctuation and typeface

Managing Editor, Seed, New York, NY, July ‘05 – Jan. 2006
Managed 20-person editorial staff for efficient bimonthly closes
Worked in partnership with EIC and as liaison to editorial staff
Produced an 18-month budget and issue-by-issue expense reports
Edited and produced pre-front section of the magazine
Coordinated production with prepress, the printer and the art department
Copyedited articles and top-edit/proofread certain sections
Trafficked copy through every stage of production process
Instituted weekly meetings to manage ideas/pitches and maximize efficiency

Associate Copy Editor, Organic Style, New York, NY, April ‘04 – June ‘05

Edited and proofread all text for grammar, spelling, typeface and punctuation
Managed two freelance copy editors
Created comprehensive style guide for the magazine

Managing Editor, New York Press, New York, NY, Jan ‘03 – May ‘03

Managed editorial staff to ensure productivity
Edited and managed section of daily features for nypress.com
Produced and assigned special issues

Editorial Assistant, New York Press, May ‘00 – Dec ‘02

Managed staff of interns
Wrote pop culture articles and reviews
Fact-checked and copyedited text

Copy Editor, Star New York, NY, April ’05 – June ‘05
Edited body and display text for grammar, spelling, typeface and punctuation
Preserved the magazine’s style and inputted corrections

Copy Editor, Us Weekly, New York, NY, Aug. ’03 – March ‘04
Edited all text for grammar, spelling, typeface and punctuation
Resolved style questions consistently

Copy Editor, Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, Nov. ’03 – Jan. 04
Edited fiction and non-fiction manuscripts
Maintained the publisher’s style